The winter season is taking over, and the temperature is dropping low, in some states even below zero. That is why you need something warm and snuggly to keep you and your loved ones cozy and comfy.
The best way to introduce a little bit of sunshine to these cold days is to get some kitchen gadgets and appliances. That will definitely encourage you to get in the kitchen and whip up
some comfort food to warm your body and soul.
From soups to casseroles to veggie dishes and entertaining fondue nights, the possibilities are endless. There are so many easy recipes out there just waiting for you to take them for a spin, especially trending on TikTok. With just a few ingredients and a stoked kitchen, today it is easier than even getting the family together and putting breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the table.
So let's raise the temperature and kick off the famous winter blues with the best kitchen appliances and gear to keep everyone smiling, warm, and fuzzy. It's getting hot in here!
Instant pot cooker
If you wish to get your comfort food fixes and stay warm, the instant pot cooker is what you'll need to whip up some soup or tasty stew.
What is an instant pot cooker?
It's a multi-function cooker that does the job of several appliances in your kitchen and can reduce the cooking time from hours to minutes. It can act as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, carnivore cook, and more.
This all-in-one appliance can help you save time and space in your kitchen. It simplifies following recipes and leaves your family and friends with a hot meal for this cold season.
The best seller:
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart
4.7 out of 5 stars
158,119 ratings
According to our experts, this is the best instant pot cooker because it has 7 functionalities: pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sasauté pan, and food warmer.
Our experts like how simple it is to use - you select in one touch from 13 customized programs, slow or quick, and you can also feed up to 6 people and the cleanup is very easy.
Rice cooker
The new rice cooker is another little helper to invest in this chilly season. Not only does it help whipping up rice, pilaf, risotto, and jambalaya, but also steamed vegetables and other hot dishes.
It's simple to use, and your food will be warm and ready to munch on in no time. Very handy to have around, especially during those days you're running from one place to the next, and it's raining outside, can't go anywhere and you want a warm home-cooked meal - we've all been there.
The new models tell you the exact ratio you need of rice and water, and you don't have to stir it to get all the grains cooked, and the bottom of the dish doesn't get burned.
The best part is with a click of a button you get a meal ready without a hassle and crazy recipes to follow, while still impressing everyone with the end yummy results.
What else can you make with a rice cooker?
Yes, you can get your rice and other forms of grains ready with the rice cooker. But you can also make ribs, the kind that falls off the bone, and feed your whole family. There are a few food bloggers on TikTok and Instagram sharing their quick recipes with less than 10 ingredients.
You can also make a few kinds of pizza with the rice cooker, eggs, and vegetables for a yummy frittata or pancake for a Sunday's breakfast. Another crowd pleaser, loved by our experts, is the max and cheese, and that's not even the full list - just get your creative juices going and turn on the rice cooker.
The best rice cooker:
CUCKOO CR-0675F | 6-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker | 13 Menu Options: Quinoa, Oatmeal, Brown Rice & More, Touch-Screen, Nonstick Inner Pot
4.6 out of 5 stars
1,059 ratings
Our experts loved this rice cooker because it's multi-functional - you can select from 13 options: from oatmeal to quinoa to white rice or sticky rice for Sushi or porridge, baby food, and more.
According to our experts, it is also easy to use. The nonstick inner pot simplifies your cooking - you don't have to stand by the pot and stir the grins.
This rice cooker is an internationally known brand with over 40 years of industry experience, so you can be sure the rice cooker will be easy to use and easy to clean without compromising its high quality.
Stockpot
The cold season is the perfect excuse to make your favorite soup recipes or to try new ones. When the evenings turn freezing, you can warm up with boiling stow or spicy chili.
A proper stockpot is a must in every kitchen even more so when the temperatures are dropping low.
Our experts have a few tips for you on how to select the perfect stockpot.
First, think about how big a pot you would need. Are most of your recipes for large crowds or just for family dinners? If it’s the latter, a smaller and more lightweight pot will work best, while bigger gatherings may require larger sizes with heavy-duty lids.
Second, the material - stainless steel is great because it distributes heat evenly throughout the dish while aluminum is lighter and transfers heat quickly. Non-stick pots are best if you want food to slide off for easy serving.
Third, you should make sure the handles are ergonomically shaped and try them to see if they are comfortable to hold or strain when you carry them.
And finally, budget is also a factor as there are many stock pots in the market to fit any budget frame, from big spenders to low price tags.
The best stockpot:
GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 8QT Stock Pot with Lid, PFAS-Free, Induction, Dishwasher Safe, Oven Safe, Gray
4.7 out of 5 stars
138 ratings
Our experts and users highly recommend this easy-to-use and simple-to-clean stockpot. Ideal for cooking for all family or friends, environmentally friendly, and dishwasher safe.
Whether you are a home cooker or beginning your cooking journey, this stockpot will help because it distributes heat evenly so there are no burnt areas.
Blender
After making your favorite soup in the stockpot you can elevate it by using a proper blender to get a warm broth or pulse it until you get the consistency you like.
This is a great way to introduce your family and any fussy eaters to healthy ingredients. You know what we're talking about, those who don't like the greens touching anything else on the plate or agree to eat meat as long as they see it in a chicken form.
And it's not just for the kids, the grownups can also benefit from it.
Power blender vs immersion one
If you are looking to choose between a power blender or an immersion blender for your kitchen, you should know the main difference between the two and what makes them ideal for different purposes.
A power blender is perfect for creating smooth purées and soups from ingredients like nuts and vegetables, while an immersion blender is designed for tasks such as crushing ice, blending batters and sauces quickly, or making whipped cream.
Generally, a power blender has sharper blades that are better able to cope with tough ingredients. An immersion blender includes longer blades specifically made to reach deep into tall jars to mix thick substances without splatter.
Best multi-functional:
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System, 1500W, 4 Functions for Smoothies, Processing, Dough, Drinks & More, with 72-oz.* Blender Pitcher, 64-oz. Processor Bowl, (2) 16-oz. To-Go Cups & (2) Lids, Black
4.7 out of 5 stars
32,477 ratings
This Ninja is just that - Ninja! This brand is pricey but worth it, you can tell from the users going on and on about how much they get out of it and how easy and simple it is to use: blend, mix, and crush.
It's a multi-functional power blender - chops ice quickly, blends food in seconds, makes smoothies in no time, frozen drinks like coffee or protein shakes, and more.
It is also easy to clean, it's safe to use in the dishwasher or rinse it yourself and you're set.
Best immersion blender:
Breville BSB510XL Control Grip Immersion Blender, Stainless Steel
4.6 out of 5 stars
3,481 ratings
This blender with an ergonomic controlled grip is very comfortable to use. Our experts love how users can adjust their grip and the blender speed and get a lot out of this blender.
It is very easy to use, simple to clean and you can prepare meals quickly, moving from one dish to the next without any hassle.
Air fryer
The health benefits
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen, and it’s easy to see why. They offer a healthier alternative to fried foods by using significantly less oil.
As you probably know, by using less oil, you're not just cutting down on calories but also improving your overall heart health. Air fryers cook food quicker and more evenly. That can preserve as much nutrition as possible.
Air Fryers reduce smoke and bad odors when cooking, and by that, they also improve indoor air quality.
Cleaning is much easier too. With just a quick wipe and no greasy mess to scrub, you can be done and over in minutes without spending hours cleaning up.
The best air fryer:
Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1, 4QT Air Fryer Oven, From the Makers of Instant Pot with Customizable Smart Cooking Programs, Nonstick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, App With Over 100 Recipes, Stainless Steel
4.7 out of 5 stars
17,197 ratings
Our expert loved how six multi-functional this air fryer is. You can air fry, broil, bake, roast, and dehydrate.
It is easy to use, and with customized programs, you can make for family or friends a range of dishes: roasted veggies to compliment your wings, matched with garlicky potatoes, and what's for dessert? Cookies or cinnamon buns, so many crispy and yummy possibilities!
You don't have to use a lot of oil so it's economical and healthy. The cleanup is simple - not stick and safe to use in the dishwasher.
Users are excited to take advantage of it every day and for every meal, especially during those cold days, when they want a quick and healthy meal for the family.
Fondue pot
Nothing says wintertime like creamy cheesy fondue pot or getting melted chocolate with marshmallows munched down. Fondue is the definition of comfort food whether you use it for melting cheese, the expensive and smelly ones for grown-ups, or your preferred chocolate - milk, dark or white to enjoy like a kid or with the kids.
A fondue pot is not just about the warm comfort food, it is also a fun activity for family or friends to get together on cold, rainy, or snowy days.
fondue pots are versatile and suitable for sweet dips as well as savory ones. You can even take the healthy version and melt a low calories cheese and dip it with vegetables and fruits.
How to select the best fondue maker?
As they are so many fondue pots in the market, here's the breakdown of what you need to consider:
Size - fondue makers do come in different sizes. Ranging from small to fit a countertop for a small family or couple and large ones for big gatherings that will also require storage space.
If your kitchen is small or you can do it with a compact one then go for it, or if you like playing the host and getting your family and friends around, you will make use of a larger pot, and also if you got the room for it than for the bigger ones.
Types - there are a few different types of pots to consider. Electric fondue makers are the modern option; they require only one corded appliance and have visible temperature gauges which makes it easy to keep track of the pot's heat.
Ceramic fondue pots are a traditional touch: made from glazed ceramic and heated with candles or Sterno flame, they can keep cheese melted over time while still providing a beautiful aesthetic to your dinner parties.
If you're using meat as your main course, stainless steel is ideal – it's durable and can be used on all stovetops, retaining heat well so you don't have to rush through your meal.
Cost - different fondue makers come with different features and prices.
For example, the more popular fondue pots include a non-stick pot, timer, automatic shut-off, and adjustable temperature. The most basic fondue sets only have a pot and burner, while the more expensive sets can have multiple pots for cooking different types of food at once, as well as other accessories like forks and skewers.
Prices for fondue sets vary widely, starting with budget-friendly low cost and going all the way up to $200 or more. It's important to consider what features are important to you before making a purchase. If you're just looking for something simple that will get the job done without it and you're on a low budget then get the less expensive model.
If you are entertaining a big family or group of friends and like playing the host, then the more expensive option will help you to create a selection of yummy goodies for fondue night to remember.
The best cheese fondue pot:
Swissmar Lugano 2-Quart Cast Iron Cheese Fondue Set, 9-Piece, Cherry Red
4.7 out of 5 stars
625 ratings
This cheese fondue pot is fun and easy to use, you will enjoy cooking with it and have a fondue night with your kids or friends.
This high quilty set includes an iron pot iron reached, six fondue forks, and a fondue burner. Suitable for all heat sources and you can cook at high temperatures or low.
Easy to clean when the cheese is over and so is the party. So get your favorite cheese ready and enjoy.
It’s getting hot in here
As we are knee-deep in winter and the colder months are already here, stay until spring. It is the perfect opportunity to give our expert guide a spin and see what your kitchen is missing for a warmer season.
According to our experts, this guide is all you need to know: from blenders to air fryers to anything in between. We included why you need those appliances and if they are worth having. Be sure to take a look at our product reviews so you can make your selection and get warm and cozy.
